Healthier Outcomes

At Kaiser Permanente we have one simple mission — to help you thrive. Which is why we have a community of over 17,000 doctors committed to providing excellent care today, which leads to healthier tomorrows. From cancer to cardiology to high blood pressure and stroke, the excellent care we provide for these conditions and others leads to healthier outcomes for our members.

A better approach to care

We believe the best way to measure quality of care is by outcomes.

You can see the results in our HEDIS® scores, and in the positive outcomes in the lives of our members. HEDIS scores are given by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. HEDIS is used by more than 90% of America’s health plans and other agencies, like Medicare, to measure performance on clinical quality and customer service. HEDIS makes it possible to compare the performance of health plans on an “apples-to-apples” basis.

Cancer care

One simple cause: Beating cancer

It starts with great doctors. We rigorously recruit from the top medical schools and training programs, and we surround these doctors (and their patients) with some of the best nurses, researchers and staff. More than 1,200 researchers work at our 8 regional research centers, on epidemiological and health services studies, with the aim of ultimately improving outcomes for patients. And our clinical trials program makes cutting-edge cancer therapies available to our members.

Early detection is key. In all the states we serve, we’re #1 in screenings for breast cancer, and are in the top 10% for cervical and colorectal screenings programwide.*,6

Cardiac Care

We don’t just follow high standards. We invent them.

Kaiser Permanente’s ALL/PHASE initiative is based on our research and practice showing that a simple bundle of low-cost medications, in combination with a beta-blocker and healthy lifestyle changes, reduces heart attacks for at-risk populations, like people with diabetes.1
The ALL program consists of aspirin, lisinopril, and lipid-lowering medication, and in Northern California the additional PHASE program (Preventing Heart Attacks Everyday) includes the beta-blocker and emphasizes lifestyle changes. And by sharing it with partners in community clinics, nonmembers are getting the benefits as well.

Programwide, we scored better than over 90% of the nation for cholesterol management for patients with cardiovascular conditions, LDL-C screening and LDL-C levels.7

Stroke Care

A system for reducing strokes.

Emergency room doctors, hospitalists, neurologists, radiologists, and speech and physical therapists working together in a team is one approach to helping us provide better outcomes to stroke patients. Another is fast tracking the care of acute stroke cases before they even happen thanks to our “stroke alerts” system. As a result, stroke deaths declined 42% between 2001 and 2010 in Northern California alone.2

Fewer smokes can lead to fewer strokes. In all states we serve, we’re a leader in all 3 categories for our programs that help members quit smoking.8

Diabetes Care

Leading the way in the fight with diabetes

Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans. Over a decade ago, we developed our Integrated Diabetes Care (IDC) program to create a team approach to treating our members with diabetes. With dedicated staff, a focus on patient education, and by monitoring our members’ electronic health records we’re helping to lower our members’ risk and help members who have diabetes lead healthier, more active lives.

Kaiser Permanente led the nation with top marks in 4 of 10 key 2013 HEDIS effectiveness-of-care measures for diabetes in the Mid-Atlantic States and Georgia.3

Hypertension Care

Making huge strides in the fight against hypertension

Hypertension – high blood pressure – can damage the blood vessels, heart, kidneys, eyes, and brain. And it can also lead to heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Our electronic medical record system helps us identify, test, monitor, and treat our members with hypertension. We screen, rescreen, and advocate for healthy lifestyles that can lower blood pressure and extend lives. As a result, 85% of our members diagnosed with hypertension have their blood pressure under control compared to 60% nationally.4

Programwide, we exceed the 90th percentile for cholesterol management for patients with cardiovascular conditions – controlling high blood pressure. 9

Bone Density Care

Strong bones, strong seniors.

The best way to care for serious hip injuries is to prevent them. Our doctors use an approach that combines education, increased bone density testing and medications to help prevent osteoporosis to keep our senior members happy, mobile, and thriving. We implemented a comprehensive program incorporating screening, assessment, treatment and education at all our Southern California medical centers. In 2012, we decreased hip fractures in Southern California by
50 percent — preventing an estimated 1,587 hip fractures and potentially saving 387 lives.5

In Southern California, we’re rated #1 in the nation among Medicare plans for osteoporosis management in women who had a fracture.10

3 Rating is based on Comprehensive Diabetes Care – Eye Exams, Comprehensive Diabetes Care – Medical Attention for Nephropathy, Comprehensive Diabetes Care – Blood Pressure Control (<140/80), and Comprehensive Diabetes Care – Blood Pressure Control (<140/90), 2013 ratings from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) for commercial plans published by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. For more information, visit ncqa.org.

4Rating and national average are based on Controlling High Blood Pressure 2013 ratings from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) for commercial plans published by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. HEDIS is a tool used by more than 90 percent of America’s health plans to measure performance on important dimensions of care and service. HEDIS is a registered trademark of the National Committee of Quality Assurance (NCQA). For more information, visit ncqa.org.

6Rating based on Breast Cancer Screening, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Colorectal Cancer Screening 2013 ratings from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) for commercial plans published by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. For more information, visit ncqa.org.

7Rating is based on Cholesterol Management for Patients with Cardiovascular Conditions – LDL-C Screening and Cholesterol Management for Patients with Cardiovascular Conditions – LDL-C Level, 2013 ratings from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) for commercial plans published by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. For more information, visit ncqa.org.

8Ratings are based on Medical Assistance with Smoking Cessation – Advising Smokers to Quit, Medical Assistance with Smoking & Tobacco Cessation – Discussing Medications, Medical Assistance with Smoking & Tobacco Cessation – Discussing Strategies 2013 ratings from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) for commercial plans published by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. For more information, visit ncqa.org.

9Rating is based on Cholesterol Management for Patients with Cardiovascular Conditions – Controlling High Blood pressure, 2012 ratings from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) for commercial plans published by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. For more information, visit ncqa.org.

10Rating is based on Osteoporosis Management in Women Who Had a Fracture, 2013 ratings from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) for medicare plans published by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. For more information, visit ncqa.org.

Healthier living. Rewarded.

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